Desmond Morgan, shown playing in the Outback Bowl, is working at middle linebacker this spring.Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan junior weak-side linebacker Desmond Morgan has been a steady hand ever since he forced his way into the starting lineup midway through the 2011 season. He's started 17 of the past 19 games, and been a dependable option.

But his backup, sophomore James Ross, just won't go away.

Ross arrived on campus last year and immediately became one of the fastest-rising freshmen in fall camp. He went on to push Morgan for the starting job, logging two starts when Morgan was injured, before settling into a reserve role.

Now, they're both back for 2013, creating a logjam at the position. Both are talented enough to play full time, but obviously, both can't.

Unless one moves to another position. And that might happen.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke said last week that Morgan will work during spring camp at middle linebacker, where the Wolverines are replacing departed starter Kenny Demens.

That doesn't necessarily mean either is switching positions. But it does allow Michigan to play around with its options, getting the best three on the field.

“I think we probably have more versatility," Hoke said. "Desmond Morgan will play some MIKE, and Ross will play a little bit more at WILL, and put them on the field at the same time.

"What we’ll do a little different than we have before, is they better know both positions because it makes them so you can slide guys in so you always have your best 11."

Morgan racked up 81 tackles last season, just seven off Jake Ryan's team-high 88 despite playing in two fewer games. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss.

Ross posted 36 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.

The strong-side linebacker position is more settled, with third-year starter and all-Big Ten performer Ryan back. He led the team in tackles last year, finished third in the league with 16.5 tackles for loss and forced a school-record five fumbles.

Something to watch, though: If Ryan's backup, Cam Gordon, shows he can play strong-side linebacker effectively, Ryan could slide down and play more strong-side defensive end after the departure of Craig Roh.

The two positions aren't all that different in coordinator Greg Mattison's 4-3 scheme, and Ryan has shown he can play either standing up at linebacker or with his hand down on the line.

"Cam’s had a tremendous winter," Hoke said of the senior, who has played 33 games and started 13. "It will be exciting and fun to see the different things that we might be able to do with both of them on the field. Jake is one of those guys, with his hand on the ground, can rush the passer sometimes. It gives us some things that we can do.”